Tourists leave for the east coast by late night train on New Year's Eve to greet the first sunrise of the year, however, those who cannot afford the overnight trip will also be able to witness the special moment in downtown Seoul, and make a wish and new year's resolution.
A New Year's Festival will be held at the pavilion atop Acha Mountain, on the east side of Seoul, from 7:00am January 1, where citizens can participate in kite and balloon flying and new year's card writing events, as well as free photo shots with the sunrise in the background. A 6km mountain trail in Cheonggyesan, Seocho-gu, offers another opportunity to watch the sunrise, and a celebration will take place at 6:30am on the first day of 2002.
Residents of western Seoul can climb nearby Yongwang Mountain, Mok-dong, where a balloon flying event and choir concert are scheduled at 7:00am.
(An Seok-bae, sbahn@chosun.com)
